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Volcanologist - Working conditions

Kaimātai Puia

Working Conditions

Volcanologists work in offices and laboratories, and on and around volcanoes in rough, dangerous or isolated conditions.

They spend a lot of time travelling to volcano sites around New Zealand and overseas.

Michael Rosenberg digging through a layer of volcanic debris.

Volcanologists travel regularly to work on volcanoes around the country

Photo courtesy of Michael Rosenberg, GNS Science

Colin Wilson sorting samples with a mountain in the distance.

Colin Wilson sorting samples on a field trip

Photo courtesy of Colin Wilson, GNS Science

Equipment

Equipment volcanologists may use includes:

specialised scientific equipment for analysing volcanic rocks
computers
digital cameras
video cameras
mass spectrometers for dating volcanic rocks
equipment for taking gas samples
safety equipment when working on-site.

Graham Leonard looking through a stereoscope.

Graham Leonard looking at photographs of Taupo volcanic zone using a stereoscope

Hours

Volcanologists usually work long and irregular hours and they may be required to work evenings and weekends.

Contact with people

Volcanologists usually work as part of a team and they may supervise technicians and research assistants. They may be required to interact with a wide variety of people including the media, the public and government officials.

"It is usual for landowners to have a really good understanding of the lay of their land, so you have to be able to work with landowners such as farmers, forestry companies or iwi."

Graham Leonard - Volcanologist

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Updated August 2008

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